One in four mammals, one in eight birds, more than a third of amphibians, and nearly one in three conifer trees: all are at risk of dying out.
Some 20,000 of the world’s plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction, out of 65,000 monitored. 1.7 million exist in total. Some 800 already listed as extinct have disappeared completely, while 63 species are only able to survive in captivity.
Within the world’s mammal population more than half of all primates are under threat of extinction due to the destruction of tropical forests, the illegal wildlife trade and hunting. The future of 6 out of 8 bear species is also cause for concern. The giant panda for example is considered endangered, while the polar bear is vulnerable.
In the oceans, climate change and over-fishing are affecting a third of the world’s coral reefs. Meanwhile more than 30% of shark species and rays are threatened with extinction, again due to over-fishing.
Back on dry land the situation is just as worrying for plants. More than 9,000 types could soon disappear, Central Asia’s wild apricot for example, the wild ancestor of varieties of the fruit grown worldwide.
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